Biocontrol Science and Technology (2011) 21, 693-704
Eustachio Tarasco, Cándido Santiago Alvarez, Oreste Triggiani and Enrique Quesada Moraga (2011)
Laboratory studies on the competition for insect haemocoel between Beauveria bassiana and Steinernema ichnusae recovered in the same ecological niche
Biocontrol Science and Technology 21 (6), 693-704
Abstract: Laboratory assays evaluated the combined action of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema ichnusae and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana isolated from the same ecological niche, an oak forest in Sardinia (Italy). Galleria mellonella larvae were used as the test insect with the aim of understanding what happens in host haemocoel during a simultaneous infection with two different entomopathogens. Larval mortality assays were performed using nematodes and fungi both alone and together, at the same and different times, and in different concentrations. No additive or synergistic effects were observed, but there was a clear antagonism and competition for survival space in the haemocoel. Moreover, mutual effects between the symbiotic bacteria of the entomopathogenic nematode Xenorhabdus bovienii and entomopathogenic fungi were investigated. In laboratory experiments, X. bovienii crude extracts were tested for their activity against fungal growth. Compounds produced by B. bassiana were tested for their activity against the growth of bacteria, revealing that X. bovienii and B. bassiana are antagonistic to each other.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Candido Santiago-Alvarez, Enrique Quesada-Moraga
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beauveria bassiana (entomopathogen) | ||||
| Steinernema ichnusae (entomopathogen) |
